Justice Society of America #3
Story: Geoff Johns
Art: Jerry Ordway, Mikel Janín
Huntress’s journey to save the Justice Society of America lands her smack dab in the middle of the 1940s at the birth of the team! Can Huntress and the present-day JSA work together long enough to figure out how to stop the strike on the ’40s team?!
When it came to DC and Marvel growing up, I was mostly a Marvel person. I’d hop into DC during major events or changes but it was a world I generally wasn’t too familiar with. Especially after so many events, the continuity and history of characters to me was a bit confusing and a hurdle to get into. In recent years, I find the stories DC puts out to fall into those that respect and celebrate the past but forge a new path that are easy to get into or ones that go deep into continuity and history. Those latter stories are ones where much of the appreciation comes from the deep history of the characters and if you don’t know that, you feel like you’re missing out on a lot. Justice Society of America #2 is the latter unfortunately, a literal ride through history.
On its surface, Justice Society of America #2 is a simple story. Huntress, the leader of a future JSA travels back in time to find Doctor Fate to prevent tragedy. Writer Geoff Johns can’t keep it that focused though. Instead, Justice Society of America #2 features Huntress being ripped through time meeting various Doctor Fates in different eras. And, unless you really know those versions or eras, it feels like a big shrug of the shoulders. It feels like the meat of the comic relies on knowledge of who these characters and versions are.
There is something to the art featuring the talents of Mikel Janín, Jerry Ordway, and Scott Kolins, color by Jordie Bellaire and John Kalisz, and lettering by Rob Leigh. The different eras each bring a different style and look and all together, it’s the most entertaining aspect of the comic. While some of the characters are “the same,” there’s subtle differences in their look and style capturing each era.
Justice Society of America #2 follows a pattern of Johns’ recent work where the whole tends to be stronger than the individual part. While this issue doesn’t excite, it has references DC fans will appreciate, you just need to know the history. Hopefully, it all comes together eventually in a way everyone can enjoy it, but as is, this is for the diehard fans.
Story: Geoff Johns Art: Mikel Janín, Jerry Ordway, Scott Kolins
Color: Jordie Bellaire, John Kalisz Letterer: Rob Leigh
Story: 6.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Justice Society of America #2
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Mikel Janin
In Shops: Jan 24, 2023
SRP: $3.99
THE NEW GOLDEN AGE CONTINUES! Huntress has arrived in the present day, but the Justice Society of America are not what she remembers. Can she get to the bottom of what’s happened to the world’s first superhero team? Will the helmet of Fate hold the answers Huntress seeks?
When it comes to its classic heroes like the JSA, from an outsider, it feels like their use has been a bit lacking. They show up with major events being key players but beyond that where they sit in DC history is a bit unclear. Justice Society of America #1 might clear some of that up? It’s kind of hard to tell with this debut from writer Geoff Johns who’s carving out his own corner of the DC Universe.
Justice Society of America #1 takes us through time kicking things off with a 57 year span of events teasing out events that have happened leading up to the current time. The death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, the birth of Helena Wayne, it all centers the story around Batman and Catwoman’s progeny, The Huntress.
In her modern time, she’s assembled a new JSA full of “reformed” villains and Wonder Girl, creating the dysfunction you’d expect. Their current focus is the disappearance of Doctor Fate, a mystery sort of answered leading up to the comics’ shocking moments that really sets things in motion.
Justice Society of America #1 is an interesting start that plays out like Johns’ recent efforts with DC. Doomsday Clock, Three Jokers, Flashpoint Beyond, they all center around a mystery and then playing with DC’s classic heroes. Johns shows he knows his DC history and has no problem with mixing things up in controversial ways and here it feels no different. Where it goes should be interesting with the muddled status the classic JSA characters have in the current DC continuity. What will change? What will be different? All of these series feel like pieces of a grander puzzle and story Johns is putting together.
The art by Mikel Janin is solid to look at delivering moments that are action packed and emotional. With Jordie Bellaire on color and Rob Leigh‘s lettering, the visuals at time really pop. It’s the rabbit hole moment later in the comic where things really stand out. The art stands out as the hits begin to come and the initial villain is revealed and dismantles the JSA in an interesting fashion. The sequence is inspired, coming out of nowhere to deliver a real surprise all around. The comic goes from 0 to 60 at this point in every way and the art stands out.
Justice Society of America #1 is an intriguing start of a comic. The latter half is excellent with a surprising sequence that sets things in motion. The first issue kicks off a mystery that has potential, but like a lot of Johns’ recent work, we’ll have to see where it takes us.
Story: Geoff Johns Art: Mikel Janin
Colors: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Rob Leigh
Guest art: Jerry Ordway, Scott Kolins, Steve Lieber, Brandon Peterson
Guest color: John Kalisz, Jordan Boyd, Brandon Peterson
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.15 Overall: 7.9 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
007 #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Fans of James Bond won’t want to miss this series which has introduced an intriguing new villain and a lot of questions as to who Bond can trust.
The Approach #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The initial issue about a missing plane suddenly returning in a snow storm had us scratching our heads and wondering what would happen next. Fans of The Thing will dig this.
Avengers Assemble Alpha #1 (Marvel) – There’s a big event crossing over the various Avengers comics and it’s officially kicking off here.
Blue Beetle: Graduation Day #1 (DC Comics) – With a film coming soon, it’s not a surprise Blue Beetle is starting to get the spotlight. We love the fact that this is available in English and Spanish.
Justice Society of America #1 (DC Comics) – DC has had a bumpy ride of introducing its classic characters over the years but this new series should be interesting to see how it fits into the bigger picture.
Bob Phantom (Archie Comics) – We’re always interested in seeing how Archie handles classic superheroes.
My Bad Vol. 2 #1 (AHOY Comics) – Someone is killing capes-or would be, if they were better at it. Just that concept alone has us laughing and looking forward to this debut.
Plush #1 (Image Comics) – Serial-killing, cannibalistic furries! Sold!
Saga of a Doomed Universe #1 (CEX Publishing) – It’s 1984’s most shocking comic book, revealed at last! The retro style and concept got our attention.
Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special (DC Comics) – Head back to the 90s with classic and new material celebrating Wildstorm!
Justice Society of America #1
(W) Geoff Johns (A) Mikel Janin
In Shops: Nov 29, 2022
SRP: $3.99
The JSA returns in this monthly series by writer Geoff Johns and artist Mikel Janin with Justice Society of America: The New Golden Age Part One! The world’s first and greatest superheroes return! Or do they? A long-lost hero from the JSA crashes into our era with a grave warning… but it’s too late. A mysterious and malevolent enemy has invaded the entire history of the JSA, and an all-new team must come together to defeat it. But what deadly secret does this messenger from beyond keep? Where are they from? And why is all of this happening now? Only the Time Masters know…
Justice Society of America #1
(W) Geoff Johns (A) Mikel Janin
In Shops: Nov 29, 2022
SRP: $3.99
The JSA returns in this monthly series by writer Geoff Johns and artist Mikel Janin with Justice Society of America: The New Golden Age Part One! The world’s first and greatest superheroes return! Or do they? A long-lost hero from the JSA crashes into our era with a grave warning… but it’s too late. A mysterious and malevolent enemy has invaded the entire history of the JSA, and an all-new team must come together to defeat it. But what deadly secret does this messenger from beyond keep? Where are they from? And why is all of this happening now? Only the Time Masters know…
From the 1940s to the 3040s, great heroes across the DC timeline take on the great evils of their era. But in the aftermath of Flashpoint Beyond, those heroes and villains will have their lives turned upside down, from the past to the far future. The New Golden Age one-shotfrom Geoff Johns lands at comic book shops on November 8th and will unlock DC’s epic and secret-ridden history of heroism, launching a new group of titles.
DC’s future…and its past…will never be the same again. But how are Mime and Marionette connected to this? Why are Rip Hunter and the Time Masters the most unlikable heroes in the DC Universe? And who or what is…Nostalgia? Don’t miss the start of the strangest mystery to have ever plagued the DC Universe.
THE NEW GOLDEN AGE #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by STEVE LIEBER, JERRY ORDWAY, and DIEGO OLORTEGUI
Cover by MIKEL JANÍN
Variant covers by GARY FRANK, TODD NAUCK, MICHAEL ALLRED, and DAVID TALASKI
1:25 variant cover by DAN HIPP
1:50 foil variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
1:100 foil variant cover by DAVID TALASKI
$4.99 US | 48 pages | One-shot | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 11/8/22
After making their long awaited return in the pages of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #3, the Justice Society of America (JSA) are back in “Justice Society of America: The New Golden Age Part One.” Or are they? A long-lost hero from the JSA crashes into our era with a grave warning…but it’s too late. A mysterious and malevolent enemy has invaded the entire history of the JSA, and an all-new team must come together to defeat it. But what deadly secret does this messenger from beyond keep? Where are they from? And why is all of this happening now? Only the Time Masters know…
Justice Society of America is an on-going monthly title written by Johns, featuring art by Mikel Janín (Batman), and the first issue will be available at local comic book shops on November 22.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by MIKEL JANÍN
Variant cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
’90s Cover Month variant cover by JOE QUINONES
1:25 variant cover by JERRY ORDWAY
1:50 variant cover by STEVE LIEBER
$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 11/22/22
“There’s nothing I get more gratitude from than continuing the legacy of my sister with Stargirl. And to do it with Todd is a blessing as we introduce DC’s secret Golden Age of teenage heroes in a fun mini-event,” added Johns.
Johns is teaming up with Iconic Young Justice illustrator Todd Nauck for an epic teenage DC hero event, Stargirl: The Lost Children! When Stargirl of the Justice Society and Green Arrow’s ally Red Arrow discover a tragic teenage hero from the past has gone missing, they set out to find him…only to discover he’s not the first teenage hero of the Golden Age to have vanished without a trace. But where have they gone? Who are they? And what does the Childminder want with them?
STARGIRL: THE LOST CHILDREN #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by TODD NAUCK
Variant cover by CRYSTAL KUNG
1:25 variant cover by MAYO “SEN” NAITO
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 1 of 6 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 11/15/22
Every issue of the Justice Society of America and Stargirl: The Lost Children will feature a “THE NEW GOLDEN AGE” banner above the title on the cover.
Comic of the Month Club is a new monthly comic subscription box for comic book fans everywhere. Subscribers receive 8-9 personally curated comics every month and fill out a preference form as to what they’re interested in.
There’s five different types of boxes ranging in cost from $9.99 on up to about $30. This is the high end “Collector’s Edition x2” version of the box.
You can subscribe now. Please include “Graphic Policy” in the referral space. You as a subscriber receive an extra bonus and we do get something in return.
This month’s comics with “rough value.”
The Amazing Spider-Man #173 (1977) – $5
The Uncanny X-Men #148 (1981) – $7
Teen Titans #43 (1973) – $4
Marvel Two in One The Thing and Iron Man #97 (1982) – $4
Action Comics #590 (1987) – $2
Action Comics #658 (1990) – $2
JSA #34 (2002) – $1
JSA #39 (2002) – $1
Harbinger #18 (1993) – $1
Total: ~$28.00
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site.
Cryptozoic has been on a role lately with their releases for their DC Deck-Building Game. In the last few months they released a new “volume” with Forever Evil, a two player version featuring Batman and the Joker, as well as a brand new Crisis Pack that compliments their second release Heroes Unite. Their next release adds a new expansion option for the game. The first Crossover Pack focuses on DC Comic’s Justice Society of America, featuring heroes, villains, equipment, and locations all a part of the history of the classic DC team.
The release features 7 oversized JSA Super Heroes, 8 Super-Villains, 10 main deck cards, and 1 rule card that explains how to use the cards as well as some errata to better clear up the cards. It’s a way to breathe new life into games, with the addition of a few cards. You’re encouraged to mix up the cards which helps change the games in mere seconds and adds new strategies and ways to play.
The new Super Hero cards don’t really have a theme to them. A few deal with “Punch” cards, but generally mixes things up, unlike the last Crisis Pack which went heavy on different game play using colors.
The equipment, heroes, super power, and location cards again don’t really have much of a unifying theme for gameplay. They vary greatly in the aspects they bring to the game. Again, a couple have to do with “Punch” cards, but it’s not enough to say this is a theme of gameplay.
The villains too vary in what they bring to the game, and the super-villains range in cost 8 to 15 to defeat.
All the cards together don’t seem to have one gameplay theme like we’ve seen in the past, instead each card enhances a certain aspect of the game, like the starting cards, or “Punch.”
Overall, the addition is welcome, not just adding some classic characters, but helping changing up the game even more. It’s a simple way to add more flavor and change the gameplay without releasing a much more involved Crisis release or new version. I can’t wait to see what Cryptozoic does next with this new addition to their release schedule. The Justice Society of America Crossover Pack will be released later this March.
Check out below for a full list of cards. You’ll need to highlight the Super-Villains to see who is included (didn’t want to spoil that for everyone).
Superheroes
Equipment
Heroes
Location
Super Power
Villain
Super-Villain
Cryptozoic provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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